System and method for providing a card tournament using one or more electronic card table

Abstract

A system and method provides a card tournament on one or more electronic card tables. The card tables have a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top. Each electronic player interaction area provides a player interface for interaction with one of a plurality of players. A tournament computer is coupled to the electronic player interaction areas of the electronic card table for administering the card tournament. The card tournament includes a series of card hands of a card game played at the electronic card table using electronic cards and electronic chips.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 939,772, filed Sep. 13, 2004, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 610,262 filed on Sep. 15, 2004, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to electronic poker tables, and more particularly, to a system and method for providing an electronic poker tournament on one or more electronic poker tables. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Gaming is an increasingly popular form of entertainment. Games, particularly, games of chance and skill in which one or more players play and place wagers on the outcome thereof may be played in a variety of ways, including at a casino or other venue or on the Internet. Of the various forms of games which are available for play, many are played with playing cards. Of these, poker is arguably the most popular. [0004] Tradition...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a method of administering a card tournament on at least one electronic card table is provided. The electronic card table includes a table top and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas. The table top has a playing surface. The plurality of electronic player interaction areas are located around a periphery of the table top. Each electronic player interaction area provides a player interface for interaction with one of the plurality of players. Each player has an associated player ID number. The card table has an associated tournament computer coupled to the electronic player interaction areas of the electronic card tables. The method includes the steps of registering for the card tournament by each player using the players' player ID number, assigning each player an electronic player interaction area, allowing each player to log-in to the assigned electronic player interaction area through their player ID number, and administering the card tournament by dealing one or more card hands using electronic chips and / or electronic cards.

[0014] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, a method of administering a card tournament on at least one electronic card table is provided. The electronic card table has a table top and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas. The table top has a playing surface. The plurality of electronic player interaction areas are located around a periphery of the table top. Each electronic player interaction area provides a player interface for interaction with one of the plurality of players. Each player has an associated player ID number. The card table has an associated tournament computer coupled to the electronic player interaction areas of the electronic card tables. The method includes the steps of registering the players for the card tournament, assigning each player an electronic player interaction area, disbursing a predetermined value in electronic chips to each player, and administering the card tournament by dealing one or more card hands using the electronic chips and electronic cards.

[0015] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, a method of administering a card tournament on a plurality of electronic card tables is provided. Each card table includes a table top and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas. The table top has a playing surface. The plurality of electronic player interaction areas are located around a periphery of the table top. Each electronic player interaction area provides a player interface for interaction with one of the plurality of players. Each player has an associated player ID number. The electronic card tables have an associated tournament computer coupled to the electronic player interaction areas of the electronic card tables. The method includes the steps of establishing a break order associated with the electronic card tables, registering the players for the card tournament, assigning each player an electronic player interaction area, administering the card tournament by dealing one or more card hands using the electronic chips and electronic cards, and breaking a next electronic card table in the break order if a triggering condition occurs and responsively assigning any remaining players at the next electronic card table to empty electronic player interaction areas at other electronic card tables.

[0016] In an eighth aspect of the present invention, a method of administering a card tournament on at least one electronic card table is provided. The electronic card table includes a table top and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas. The table top has a playing surface. The plurality of electronic player interaction areas are located around a periphery of the table top. Each electronic player interaction area provides a player interface for interaction with one of the plurality of players. Each player has an associated player ID number. An associated tournament computer is coupled to the electronic player interaction areas of the electronic card tables. The method includes the steps of registering the players for the card tournament, assigning each player an electronic player interaction area, administering the card tournament by dealing one or more card hands using electronic chips and electronic cards, and providing information to the players regarding player statistics related to the card tournament.

Problems solved by technology

One of the problems with traditional poker is that it suffers from the possibility of human / dealer error.

Thus, another problem associated with traditional poker games in this context is the training and retention of dealers.

One major drawback of Internet and stand-alone type games is the lack of the human element.

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